Michael J Fox has revealed he almost gave up on pursuing an acting career because he kept losing roles to Matthew Broderick.

The Canadian star admitted he would have returned to his country to work in construction instead, reported New York Post's Page Six.

"I owed money, and my phone was cut off. I was selling sections of my sectional sofa. I was ready to go back to Canada and pick up nails on my brother's construction site," he said as he was honoured at the Casting Society of America's annual Artios Awards.

But Michael decided against it after auditioning for the role of Alex P Keaton in sitcom Family Ties, which gave him his big break.

"I went in to read for Family Ties. They [initially] wanted Matthew Broderick. He'd usually go in first for auditions, and you'd hear hands shaking. I was always losing jobs to Matthew Broderick," he admitted.

Michael, who has Parkinson's disease, received the New York Apple award at the ceremony in New York.

Political drama Homeland, Steven Soderbergh's Behind The Candelabra, House Of Cards and Broadway play Kinky Boots also received gongs on the night.